ArchiCAD MasterTemplate 13 Release Notes

19 Pages·2009·0.43 MB·English

ArchiCAD MasterTemplate 13 Release Notes
October 11, 2009
Welcome to the latest version of the ArchiCAD MasterTemplate. The new update provides full
compatibility with ArchiCAD 13, and also contains new featuresand revisionsbased on feedback
and suggestions from users as well as our own discoveries and innovations.
This document explainsthe new features, and outlinesstrategies for users upgrading from earlier
versions of MasterTemplate.
NEW or CHANGED:
1) INTERACTIVE LEGENDS
a. Weconvertedthe complete Legend kit of parts from the ArchiCAD 12 Library to
the ArchiCAD 13 Library. While some elements automatically found their
counterparts in the new library, many dozens had to be swapped manually using
parameter transfer techniques. Over 400 labels were also updated to reflect the
new object names.
b. Added new Fills:
• Graphisoft-standard fills: two Image Fills (Blue Carpet, Parquet Floor)
plus two Symbol Fills for Insulation
• New DEMO fill -can be used to partially cover up elements, making
them appear dashed
c. Created many new Composite Wall types with integrated soft insulation fills, and
added them to the Interactive Legend in the Advanced Modeling group.
• See Notes for Advanced Users (below) for a method to show the
insulation in section but not on plan.
d. Transparent fills were used to create a more elegant, cleaner look for the drop-
shadows around the legend groupings.New fills were created to provide a
smooth gradient from 10% to 90%.
e. Restroom ADA Compliance (U.S. version only)
• Commercial Restrooms in Quick Roomssection have been adjusted to
comply with ADA requirements
• Informative notes were added to show ADA minimums and maximums.
• Please refer to applicable codes to confirm compliance. However, if
you see any issues that would affect general usage, please let BCG
know so that we may resolve them.
f. Added Bed with Nightstands and Wheelchair Man (two new, useful objects in the
AC13 library) to the appropriate areas of the Legends
g. Cleanup:
• Font references were double-checked -everything now usesArial
Western, which should work cleanly cross-platform
• Corner windows in the Default Settings group were actually normal
windows; they were replaced with actual corner windows
h. Extended functionality and changed the name of Object Indicator AMT label
• Added option to copy name of linked object into parameters, allowing
one to drag a copy of these labels without losing the text name in the
new independent label. (Note: this still needs work since it acts a little
strangely.)
• NOTE:Weare not using the new Embedded Library feature in
ArchiCAD 13, because there are complications when embedding
libraries into Hotlinked Modules. We continue to supply and reference
a separate folder for the AMT Library.
i. Descriptive labels for library parts in the Quick Rooms and Matrixes have been
moved to the Y | SPECIAL | LAYOUT SHEET & EXPLANATORY NOTES.2D
layer
• This makes iteasier to turn these labelsoff before copying a Quick
Room into a project. (Copies of Quick Rooms may be brought into the
project model to speed up laying out apreliminary design. All parts of
the room groupingmay be moved around or adjusted to suit the needs
of the project.)
• NOTE:thesedescriptivelabels are actually exploded into text and
lines so that they are independent of the associated library parts -
otherwise aftereye-dropping one of theobjects,anew linkedlabel
would be inserted automaticallywhen placinga copy ofthe object(not
generally a good idea).
2) SimplifiedPreliminary Designprocess(see explanatory section below)
a. New *PRELIMINARY DESIGN Layer Combination (LC) shows all modeling and
basic annotation elements
b. New View PRELIMINARY DESIGN using this LC
c. New View for INTERACTIVE LEGEND WORKSHEETwithout Zoom (placed in
the MODEL PLAN VIEWS (FOR DESIGN)section of the View Map) with the
same LC-thissimplifies toggling back and forth between the kit of parts and the
developing model
d. This LC also was applied to all the Interactive Legend Worksheetzoomed Views
for the same reason
3) More attractive opening screen
• Less clutter and moreexplanatory notes
4) Cleaned up several Layer Combinations and Layer settings
a. Demo layers (A | DEMOLITION | 3D.DEMO and A | DEMOLITION UPPER |
3D.DEMO) are now turned off for most Layer Combinations except Demo Plans;
they are turned on for Model Views to enable easy manipulation of layers during
design-they can be turned off by the user for any Layer Combination if preferred
b. CONDOC DEMOLITION -Layer Combination has been revisedto show more
appropriate layers
c. U | DRAWING | DEMOLITION -layer name had a typo that has been corrected
d. Non-Plot Layer
• A | NON-PLOT (HOT SPOTS & TEMP ITEMS)is now turned off for all
CONDOC Layer Combinations, and on for Model Views
• Hotspots in the template (used to set initial extent boundaries of Views)
have been moved to the ArchiCAD Layer
• The Hotspot tool is now set to use the ArchiCAD Layer by default
5) NEW: Work Environment Profile-thiscan be imported in whole or in part to set
keyboard shortcuts and other preferencesbased on our recommendations
a. New keyboard shortcuts(Shortcut Schemes)
• Last 3D Document -Shift+3
• Last Detail Drawing -Shift+2
• Last Elevation -F8
• Last Interior Elevation -Shift+I
• Last Worksheet -Shift+W
• Tool Settings -“.” (period) in addition to standard Ctrl+T / Command+T
b. Info Box (Tool Schemes) -moved ID and Label Elements to beginning(left side)
for Windows, Doors and Objects
c. Dialog Boxes and Palettes (User Preference Schemes) -checked box for “Hide
Locked Layers in Pop-Up Palettes”
d. Palette Schemes -Quick Options palette is set up to show under Navigator
6) Layout Book and Publisher
a. Small Project Set -removed “A”prefix from Subset name
b. Added new Publisher Set for Small Project Set
Initial Download and Setup
The AMT 13 U.S. version was posted for download on October 11, 2009. The International
version is expected to be released later in October.
The zip file will expand into (U.S. names shown, the International version will have INT in place of
USA):
• MasterTemplate 13USA TEMPLATE.tpl
• MasterTemplate 13USA LEGENDS.pln
• MasterTemplate 13USA LIBRARY
• MasterTemplate 13 Release Notes.pdf
• AMTOffice Favorites.mod
• AMT Project Favorites.mod
• AMT Work Environment [folder]
• MasterTemplate NEW PROJECT FOLDER
To install AMT 13, download the zip file to your workstation, then unzip it to a convenient location
into new folder. We recommend placing this into your ArchiCAD Office Standards folder; a good
place for this is in the Jobs folder on your hard drive or on the office server.
AMT 13 file uses three Hotlinked Modules (HLM): one refers to the MasterTemplate 13USA
LEGENDS.pln(kit of parts), a second to the AMT Office Favorites.mod, and a third to the
Project Favorites.mod.
When you open up the TEMPLATE you'll get a message saying that these three Hotlinks are
missing, since everything is now on a new workstation. Go to the Hotlink Manager (either directly
from that message, or from the File menu > External Content > Hotlink Manager) and relink these
references to the file locations on your hard drive or network.
When you open the TEMPLATE file, you will also get a warning about missing PDFs -these are
referenced in the Layout Book and used for the specifications and general notes pages. As with
all previous versions of AMT, you can resolve this warning message once and for all by using the
Read From… button and choosing the MasterTemplate 13USA Library. ArchiCAD will search
within the library folder and subfolders, and find the PDF files and relink them. Later, when you
save the TEMPLATE, all of this will be remembered, so you won't have to deal with them again
(unless you move the files or decide to change the references).
The Library Manager should be able to find what it needs: the ArchiCAD 13 Library as well as the
MasterTemplate 13 USA (or INT) Library. If you place the template file into a different folder than
where you store the MasterTemplate Library, you will need to tell the Library Manager to load that
folder as a Linked Library.
You nowhave a new version of AMT to explore!Wesuggest you read through these Release
Notes to see what's new, and then decide how you want totransition your own version of AMT. At
the end of this document, variousapproaches will be discussed for how to integrate the new
versionof AMT with your previously customized template.
Please report anything requiring cleanup in an email to [email protected]. We hope you
enjoy the new features of AMT 13. Thanks again for the opportunity to work with you!
Eric Bobrow
Bobrow Consulting Group
October 11, 2009
Simplified Preliminary Design
One of the biggestchanges in MasterTemplate13involves subtleadjustments in Layer
Combinations and Views. We continued to develop the ideas implemented in AMT12.1to make
the first stages of design evensimpler. Changes to the Views and Layer Combinations allow
quickaccess to the Interactive Legends without interruptingthe workflow.
Onecan now toggle back and forth between the floor plan and the kit of parts using the two views
PRELIMINARY DESIGN and INTERACTIVE LEGEND WORKSHEET in the top area of the View
Map:
A new Layer Combination called*PRELIMINARY DESIGN is used for both of these views, so
there is no change in layer visibility whether one double-clicks on the Views or uses keyboard
shortcuts (F2 for the floor plan, and Last Worksheet / SHIFT+W to go to the Legend Worksheet).
Both of these Views are set to ignore the zoom, so you’llalwaysreturntothe location and zoom
where you were looking or working.
ThisLayer Combination isset to show all 3D elements and most 2D annotations (other than
marker callouts)so you can draw almost anything and not worry about changing the layer
combination.The Structural Grid layer (S | GRID.3D) is turned off so that the placeholder grid
elements are not in the way when one starts, but can be turned on forthis layer combination if
and when preferred.
The net effect ofthese changes is that you can draw and model freely and go back and forth to
the kit of parts very quickly as needed. It shouldalso be much easier for new users to understand
and start using the template legends without any complications regarding layer management.
As in AMT 12.1, the Legend Worksheet has a popup for saved zooms that facilitates jumping to
various sections:
Alternatively, one can open up the INTERACTIVE LEGENDS (FAVORITES) section of the View
Map to get access to these saved zooms with a double-clickon any of the Views inside the
LEGENDS | WORKSHEET folder.
As in AMT 12.1, the preferred method of
access to the Legends is through this
Worksheet, which uses Virtual Trace to show
the Legends fromthe Plan View. Each saved
View in the LEGENDS | WORKSHEET jumps
to a specific location or group of parts or Quick
Room. This is exactly the same as using the
INTERACTIVE LEGEND WORKSHEET View
(in the MODEL PLAN VIEWS above) then
using the popup menu to zoom to that area of
the worksheet.
The LEGENDS | PLAN folder of Views is
retained for two special purposes, but is no
longer recommended for quick access for eye-
dropping the kit of parts.
Each of these Viewsjumps to a different part
of the floor plan where the Legends are placed
as a Hotlinked Module (HLM). By necessity the
Viewchangesthe Layer Combination to show
the Master Layer of the HLM for the Legends.
To return to the working model, one then has
to reactivate the previous Layer Combination
andnavigate back to place the new element. This method, dating back to the original
MasterTemplate, requires many more clicks, and is much more confusing than our current
methodology.
Beyond historical reasons, the LEGENDS | PLAN folder is needed for the following:
• The first View (LEGEND 3D | ALL) in that folder is used as the Trace Reference for the
Legend Worksheet. This View should not be deleted;otherwise theTrace Referencefor the
Legendmay not function properlyin the Worksheet views.
• To copy a QuickRoom, use the corresponding View in the LEGENDS | PLAN folder; outline
the room assembly with the marquee tool or use the arrow tool to select the elements, then
copy; return to the desired area of your model (using the appropriate View or manually
resetting the Layer Combination, and navigating to the correct story and zoom location) and
paste.
Quick Rooms were introduced into the Interactive Legend in AMT 12.1 as a tool for speeding up
preliminary design conceptualization and program planning. Entire room layouts can be copied
from the Legend into your project, and used as is, or modified as needed. All parts (objects as
well as the containing walls) can be moved around, changed or deleted to suit your design.
Note that the descriptive labels that indicate library part names are on the Y | SPECIAL |
LAYOUT SHEET & EXPLANATORY NOTES.2D layer, and will be copied along with the room
assembly. To avoid bringing them along, we suggest you turn off that layer before copying the
Quick Room. You may turn this layer off manually in the Layer Settings dialog, or (with groups
suspended) right-click on any text description and choose from the context menu Layers > Hide
Layer.
Work Environment Profile
After numerous requests from AMT users, we created a Work Environment Profile with
recommendedKeyboard Shortcuts and other preferences set up for AMT.This is supplied as a
folder exported from the Options menu > Work Environment > Work Environment Profiles.
To use the supplied Work Environment Profile, choose the Options menu > Work Environment >
Work Environment… command. Click the Import… button from the Work Environment Profiles
section.
In this Import Profile dialog box,pressthe Backspace or Delete key to stop ArchiCAD from
searching in its default location for Work Environment (WE) Profiles. Then click the Browse…
button and locate and select the AMT folder. ArchiCAD will then find the available WE Profiles in
that folder. Select the AMT Work Environment Profilefrom the list, and click Import. Next,
highlight the imported profile and click Apply Schemes of Profile, then OK.
Note that this Work Environment Profile will overwrite all previous customization of your Work
Environment. If you prefer, you may selectively import only some of the settings, by going to any
particular scheme -for example, Shortcut Schemes -and clicking the Import… button. This will
only search for and bring in the AMT keyboard shortcuts.
For more information on management of the ArchiCAD Work Environment, please refer to the
ArchiCAD Helpor the ArchiCAD Reference Guide.
NOTE:The Work Environment Profile feature of ArchiCAD MasterTemplate 13 is brand new and
we would appreciate your feedback if you notice any issues or would like to offer suggestions.
NOTES FOR ADVANCED USERS
EMBEDDED LIBRARIES
The AMT library has been partially updated, and is supplied as a separate folder within the
download files.
Weare not using the Embedded Library feature in ArchiCAD 13, because of complications
caused by embedding libraries into Hotlinked Modules(HLM). If you embed library parts into a
HLM, then the project file referencing the HLM will see those parts. That is good, but there can be
some issues.
If you embed these parts directly into the project file (as well as into the HLM), you will get
duplicate parts warnings. If you do not embed them again, and later delete the HLM from your
project file, you will have missing parts, and possibly even missing data.
If you embed the same parts into multiple HLM’s (for example, the Office Favorites as well as the
main Legend file), you will also get warnings of duplicates.
For these reasons, we have opted to use the traditional method of referencing a library folder
(now called Linked Libraries) rather than embedding these parts.
SOFT INSULATION
Some users have asked for a way to show the insulation fill in sections and 3D Documents, but
hide it on the floor plan. A special new penset has been created for this purpose.
The soft insulation commonly will be drawn with the same pen as other wall cut fills. However,
this skin is defined in the composite to use a special pen.
When Apply Structure’s Settings is checked in the Wall Settings for the Cut Fill Pen in Floor Plan
and Section… > Cut Surfaces, this pen will draw as a thin grey in standard pensets, but will be
white (hidden) in the special penset.
The special penset is named US AC-10 Default | PENS 1-20 ALL* BLACK | PLOTTING (*INSUL
WHITE). In the international version of AMT, it has a similar name with (*INSUL WHITE)
indicated.
This new penset is not used by default, but may be chosen for floor plan drawings in the Drawing
Settings if one wants to hide the insulation fill on plan.
In order to achieve this effect, one also has to click the checkbox (Apply Structure’s Settings for
the Cut Fill Pen) for the actual walls placed on plan.
TRANSPARENT FILLSand the INTERACTIVE LEGEND GROUPINGS
The borders of the Interactive Legend sectionshave a soft drop-shadow created by groups of
fills. In previous versions of AMT, this visual effect was prepared using fills with different pensand
percentage densities, to simulate different shadesof grey. Because they used an opaque white
background pen, the drop shadows were somewhat crude looking when viewed against a colored
background fill.
In AMT 13, two different methods were implemented to create a cleaner, softer effect.
In one, the fills are all done with the same dark pen, but with different percentages of opacity
ranging from 100% down to 10% in increments of 10%. This required creating a number of new